Ultraviolet (UV) post cure heat transfer label, method of making and using same

Abstract

An ultraviolet post cure heat transfer label for application to an item includes a carrier web, a release coat applied to the carrier web and a composition including a cationic ultraviolet curable ink applied to the release coat. The ink has a solvent in a concentration of at a least about 20 percent by weight of the ink. The ink is dried in a non-UV process to form a storable film on the carrier web. The composition is transferred to the item and the ink is cured, by application of ultraviolet energy, following transfer to the item. A method for making the label and a method for marking an item are also disclosed.

1. An ultraviolet post cure heat transfer label for application to an item, comprising:
 a carrier web; 
 a release coat applied to the carrier web; and 
 a composition including a cationic ultraviolet curable ink applied to the carrier web, the ink having a solvent in a concentration of at a least about 20 percent by weight of the ink, the ink being dried to form a storable film on the carrier web, 
 wherein the composition is transferred to the item and the ink is cured, by application of ultraviolet energy, following transfer to the item. 
 
     
     
       2. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 1  wherein solvent is present in a concentration of about 20 percent to 70 percent by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       3. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 2  wherein solvent is present in a concentration of about 40 percent by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       4. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the solvent is an organic solvent. 
     
     
       5. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the composition includes a component capable of cationic polymerization includes one or more of a cyclic ether, a vinyl ether or a hydroxyl containing compound. 
     
     
       6. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the composition includes an epoxide being an aromatic, an aliphatic or a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin. 
     
     
       7. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the composition includes a photo-initiator. 
     
     
       8. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the photo- initiator is an onium salt. 
     
     
       9. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the composition includes a photo-sensitizer. 
     
     
       10. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the photo- sensitizer is a thioxanthone derivative. 
     
     
       11. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 1  including a colorant. 
     
     
       12. The heat transfer label in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the colorant is a dye, an organic pigment or an inorganic pigment.